Canada's Natural Resources: Environmental Trade-offs
Students investigate the environmental trade-offs and social impacts of large-scale resource extraction in Canada.
Key Questions
- Analyze the environmental trade-offs of large-scale resource extraction.
- Critique the social and economic impacts of resource development on Indigenous communities.
- Evaluate different approaches to sustainable resource management.
Ontario Curriculum Expectations
About This Topic
The Great Lakes and Water Security focuses on the management and protection of the world's largest freshwater system. Students explore the geographic, economic, and environmental importance of the Great Lakes to both Canada and the United States. This topic is a vital case study in international cooperation and the challenges of protecting a shared resource.
Students will investigate the primary threats to the health of the Great Lakes, including pollution, invasive species, and the impacts of climate change. They will also look at the debate over whether water should be treated as a human right or a commodity to be sold. This topic comes alive when students can use real-world data and collaborative investigations to analyze the health of the lakes and propose solutions for their long-term security.
Active Learning Ideas
Inquiry Circle: The Invasive Species File
In pairs, students research a specific invasive species in the Great Lakes (e.g., zebra mussels or Asian carp). They must identify how it got there, the damage it is doing to the ecosystem, and one way that scientists are trying to control it.
Formal Debate: Water for Sale?
Divide the class into two sides. One side argues that Canada should be allowed to sell its 'surplus' water to other countries, while the other side argues that water is a human right and a shared heritage that should never be commodified.
Gallery Walk: The Great Lakes Ecosystem
Display maps and charts showing the water levels, pollution 'hotspots,' and biodiversity of the Great Lakes. Students use a 'health check' chart to identify the most urgent problems facing each of the five lakes.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionThe Great Lakes are so big that they can't be significantly harmed by pollution.
What to Teach Instead
Because the Great Lakes are a closed system with a slow turnover of water, pollutants can build up and stay in the system for a long time. Using a 'bioaccumulation' model can help students see how even small amounts of toxins can harm the entire food web.
Common MisconceptionWater security is only a problem for dry, desert countries.
What to Teach Instead
Even in water-rich regions like the Great Lakes, water security is threatened by pollution, aging infrastructure, and competing demands for use. A 'local water audit' can help students see that water security is a concern for everyone.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Great Lakes so important?
What are the biggest threats to the Great Lakes today?
How do Canada and the U.S. work together to manage the lakes?
How can active learning help students understand water security?
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